Here's another Zodiac Shifters story coming your way!!

A collection of books with an astrological spin on love. From Aries to Virgo… discover all-new tales of paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

Zodiac Shifters features New York Times, USA Today, and other bestselling authors. Each month expect new releases based upon the twelve astrology signs.

Pisces – Artist, Dreamer, Romantic

Bound by Water by Monica La Porta

Sometimes, water ignites fiery passions…

The only merman shifter alive, Atreides is a famous painter, rich, and sophisticated. In his spare time, he helps the police recover stolen art.

A mere human—although exceedingly strong-willed—Ariel is an accomplished art thief who has sworn never to steal again. Until she’s forced to repay her father’s substantial debts, and the only way out is robbing an Etruscan artifact.

One night, they meet. He isn’t looking for a soulmate, and she doesn’t have time for a relationship. Yet, it only takes one passionate kiss under the full moon to intertwine their fates. Unfortunately, there’s a werewolf biker gang on their heels, and they won’t leave Atreides and Ariel alone.

Excerpt Bound by Water

Closing his eyes, Atreides felt the Tide calling him back into the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

He stood and walked toward the water’s edge. The sole of his leather shoes skidded on the slick pebbles of the beach. Atreides inhaled the salty sprays, filling his lungs with the familiar scent that sent him back in time. When he was a child, he used to swim with the dolphins populating the coast. Pollution and global warming had changed the marine landscape, robbing the wild seabed of its rich ecosystem, but its beauty was still undeniable.

Atreides kicked one shoe off, then the other. His naked feet touched the smooth rocks that composed the bed of the beach. Foamy water lapped at his skin. One brief glance around confirmed him he was alone.

At three o’clock in the morning, no other swimmer had made his way down the path that hugged the medieval castle of Santa Marinella. It was a fortuitous coincidence Atreides had every intention to exploit. Tourists had fled the heat of Rome and took refuge in the city, but the ones who weren’t sleeping were dancing the night away. That worked just fine. Atreides felt he was too old to gyrate at the rhythm of music resembling industrial noise and had lost any familiarity with the lyrical sonatas it had stemmed from.

His suit trousers followed the way of the shoes, discarded on the rocky shore, alongside his button-down shirt, his silk tie, and suit jacket. Finally naked, Atreides raised his head and looked at the Moon. His skin tingled in anticipation as he waded into the water. Pleasure akin to sexual relief engulfed him when a solitary wave covered his loins in a liquid embrace. Salty and cold, the water reached his chest, and a soft moan escaped his lips. His latest couplings hadn’t evoked such bliss.

The pull from the Tide was impossible to ignore.

Although Atreides believed in denying pleasure to sharpen the senses, he couldn’t postpone his shifting any longer. Under the blanket of the dark waters, his legs were already changing, leaving behind his human effigies for a more elegant shape. An iridescent tail formed where his feet had been a moment earlier. Atreides waited for the protective film to cover his eyes and for the gills to open on his throat, then slowly submerged his head under the surface and gulped a mouthful of water. Mediterranean saltiness replaced the air in his lungs. A set of fins protruded from both sides of his torso. The change was almost complete. He commanded his tail to push against the incoming wave, his head bobbing above the surface as he gave one last look at the marina.

The sound of steps started Atreides, forcing him to turn and face the dark walls of the castle.

“Who’s there?” he called, forcing his tail down into the water.

About the Author

Monica La Porta landed in Seattle several years ago. Despite popular feelings about the Northwest weather, she finds the mist and the rain the perfect conditions to write. Being a strong advocate of universal acceptance and against violence in any form and shape, she is also glad to have landed precisely in Washington State. She writes love stories in every shade of romance, from futuristic to paranormal, fantasy, and even contemporary, depending on her mood.

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A collection of books with an astrological spin on love.
From Aries to Virgo… discover all-new tales of paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

I am THRILLED to announce a new series of books with a slew of amazing authors I'm privileged to call my pals! And I'm going to be contributing some stories to this series. For those of you familiar with my Elementals (introduced in Midnight Hunt and featured in my novella Frostbitten Hearts), I'll be doing some of their stories in this series. As you know, the Elementals in my books derive their powers based on the sun sign to which they were born. AND I'll be doing a Unicorn Shifter story!! Be sure to subscribe to my VIP Club to stay informed of each new release in this exciting series!

Zodiac Shifters features New York Times, USA Today, and other bestselling authors. Each month expect new releases based upon the twelve astrology signs. If you're a ravenous reader and love shifters, you'll love this series! The books are unrelated, by the way, so they all take place in different worlds and carry the theme of the Zodiac. Up first…

Aquarius – Logical, Curious, Rebellious

Tethered by Beth Caudill

Evelyn Brooks lives with the freedom only her kind can know—in her human form as a photographer, and in the skies as a falcon. When a stalker drives her from her home, Evelyn discovers a beautiful, wild sanctuary in North Carolina. After a bolt of magic knocks her from the sky, leaving her helpless, she realizes too late that danger has invaded her refuge.

Park ranger Lawke Morgan’s day goes from bad to worse when his ex-wife unexpectedly drops off their 13-year-old daughter, Zoe, in the beginning of a dangerous storm. His life takes a turn for the bizarre after he finds an injured Peregrine falcon that transforms into a lovely woman.

When his daughter is kidnapped by an Aztec priest, one who should have been dead for centuries, Lawke learns that Evelyn holds the key to the priest’s demands. Together they must confront blood sacrifices, defy ancient gods, and find a way to trust each other when Zoe’s life hangs in the balance.

Can a woman used to soaring amongst the clouds embrace love with a man firmly rooted on the ground?

Excerpt – Spicy – You have been warned!

Aware of his eyes on her, she wiggled out of her jeans. Next she stripped off her shirt and let it fall to the floor.

He stood before her in his shorts. Her gaze locked in on his ribbed, muscular chest. She wanted to photograph him. Up close and very personal. Know every inch of him. Rub herself against all that hot, hard flesh and lick her way down his chest.

His throat cleared. “What are you thinking?”

“Huh?”

His arrogant smile ticked her off.

“What were you thinking about? Your eyes got this faraway look and you were rubbing your fingers together.”

“That is none of your business.” Heat crept down her skin.

He took her hand in his and pulled her against him. “If you were thinking about me, then it’s entirely my business.”

His chest muscles rippled beneath her touch and his heart buy ambien how to thumped to a wild beat. She inhaled the masculine scent of the wild outdoors. Found herself drawn closer to him. Yearning for so much more.

He tilted his head down and kissed her. Like a man drowning and only she could save his life.

She moaned and pressed against him, wanting so much more.

He lifted her in his arms, carried her to the couch and laid her down. His weight settled against her, and his hard cock nested between her legs. It was torture not having him inside her.

His blue eyes glittered with need as he stared at her. “Do you want this?”

“Yes.” Her breath caught in her throat. More than she imagined, she wanted to be his. Even if it was only this one night.

He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed as his stubble rubbed against her skin. Her body softened while she wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer.

He lifted her shirt up, exposed her breasts to his gaze. He undid the clasp in the front of her bra. She was thankful for finding a supplier for that particular style. His lips locked around her nipple. Heat pulsed throughout with each suckle he made.

Her hands slid under his shorts to glide over his taut buttocks. She grasped them and pulled him closer. There was a strength within his body that she wanted to explore. To engage with in pleasurable battle.

He lifted his head, and their eyes locked. His normally light blue eyes blazed a dark sapphire. “You’re beautiful. All mine to enjoy.”

The intensity of his gaze inspired a well of feminine desire to soften her hunger. Their passion was more than just sex. She wanted to be his, to surrender to the ferocity of the need to mate with him.

Outside, lightning flashed and the loud thunder boomed so close that the cabin shook. The storm reminded them of its presence.

She pulled his head down and bit his lower lip. He growled and hungrily took her mouth in a frenzied kiss. His tongue swept in, tangled with hers in tempestuous kiss. Nothing existed but the fevered rush of his touch.

Needing to breathe, she wrenched her mouth from his, gulped in air, and tried to regain her thoughts. “You’re dangerous to my peace of mind.”

Enter Beth's Giveaway!

About the Author

Although Beth grew up in West Virginia, she currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two sons and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who makes an excellent lap warmer. Blending the analytical and creative sides of her brain, she delights in creating fantasy worlds for others. Catch her online most days except when NCIS and Once Upon a Time air.

FANTASY ROMANCE RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Candra's Freedom, Book II
The Golden Key Chronicles
Available NOW on AmazonClick to Tweet

~ * ~

The key would unlock his future,

and the safety of his kingdom,

but he never imagined the sorceress

would unlock his heart…

Lost in a world she doesn't recognize, Rowena struggles to find her place. Yet her abilities with a blade and the loyalty of a fierce falcon don't discourage the heated advances of the handsome Prince Caedmon, and the connection between them seems much deeper than her troubled heart can recall.

~ * ~

If you are still in love with the Disney princes of your youth, and wish one would show up in your bedroom late at night, then you will love this breathtaking fantasy romance series from AJ Nuest!

~ * ~

Excerpt

Water rained down his body. His sodden shirt clung to each sharply defined muscle in his chest, his leather pants glued to the contours of his rigid thighs. Her heart tripped a beat at the magnitude of sheer, gritty determination forged in the scowl on his brow.

Prince Caedmon was a man on a mission. That was a nice idea for a change.

He finally made landfall, fisted his hands and increased his pace. A few trumpeters blew a half-hearted attempt at announcing his arrival, but their notes blurted like a fat man’s flatulence and faded listlessly in the air. Some people knelt, others remained standing, and several bobbed like apples in a rain barrel, unsure which action to take.

Another victory at denouncing their absurd rituals. Rowena chuckled under her breath. Bravo, sir. Well done.

He locked onto her and she grinned, even when his penetrating stare pierced her like an arrow and he clenched his scruffy jaw. The real icing on the cake would be if he ignored his father. But no, that would never happen. Even as the thought occurred, Prince Caedmon strode straight for King Austiere’s open arms.

Except…wait a second. He wasn’t heading for his father. He marched straight for her.

Oh no…

All the amusement fled her body. She glanced left, then right before meeting his formidable gaze a second time. Of course. Distracted by his gallant swim to shore, she’d forgotten. His dismissal of the pageantry didn’t have anything to do with defiance. He thought them still engaged.

She withdrew a step, but her shoulder blades bounced off the front of Marcelene's ample bosom. Dammit!

Pressed inside the crowd, no other escape route was available. And time was quickly running out. Her pulse leapt and her fingertips tingled as if she'd touched Fandorn's lightning catcher. She couldn't seem to draw any air. Great tits above, what was the man planning to do?

Praise for Rowena's Key,Book I in The Golden Key Chronicles

“The author slowly leads Rowena and Caedmon into love, so slowly and sweetly it’s romantic and classic…and breathtaking. I cannot wait for the second installment of this series.” 5 Stars

“It was like watching a Cinderella story come to life. Or living one.” 5 Stars

“Like the best fairy tales, Rowena’s Key captures the imagination and the heart with a bonus undercurrent of spicy romance.” 5 Stars

“With all the components of a star crossed lovers story, Rowena’s Key is a
genuine Romance. A.J. Nuest pulls the reader into fantasy alongside Rowena with a realness that will have you hopeful, teary eyed and longing for the next installment.” 5 Stars

“You need to realize this is a novella, because you will get to the end of this story and be desperate for more. Thankfully, HarperImpulse is releasing each novella in this series in month by month installments, so we don’t have long to wait for the next development of Rowena and Caedmon’s fantasy romance.” 5 Stars

The Golden Key Chronicles Release Schedule:

Rowena’s Key: November 7, 2013

Candra’s Freedom: December 12, 2013

Caedmon’s Curse: January 9, 2014

Braedric’s Bane: February 13, 2014

AJ is a multi-published, award-winning author who lives in the middle of a cornfield in NW Indiana. Her loving husband, two beautiful children and a bevy of spoiled pets have agreed to stay and, in exchange for three rations per day and laundry service, tolerate her lunacy. While she spends most days happily ensconced in crafting romance across a multitude of genres, an underground coup has been percolating. The dogs just informed her the cat is secretly vying for dictatorship.

I am over-the-moon THRILLED to participate in the release of AJ Nuest's fantasy romance Rowena's Key! It's the first book in her Golden Key Chronicles. Be sure to visit her Facebook Release Day Party – she's giving away prizes all day, like…

Kindle Whitepaper 3G

Kindle Fire HD

Copies of Rowena's Key

Jewelry

Gift Cards

Click on her beautiful cover to join the party and enter all the drawings for the day!!!

Oh, and we're posting really hot guys, too! RAWR!!

Buy your copy NOW and help her get to the top 100 at Amazon. If she does, she'll be giving that Kindle Whitepaper away. If Rowena's Key makes it to the top 10, AJ's giving away the KINDLE FIRE HD!!! Please LIKE and SHARE any way you can so she can climb those ranks! Click to Tweet!

I promise you won't be disappointed with this modern-day fairy tale. Can you say HOT Medieval Guy???? The book is REALLY fabulous!! Here's her first review at Love Reading Romance. Now get over to the party and join the fun!!!

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In order to reunite the Council and save both our world and theirs, the Guardians need to assemble three missing pieces of an ancient relic called The Shoma. But their search is derailed by their love lives and entanglements. Surrounded by evil and under the threat of annihilation our lives depend on this one team. But with all the sex, scandal and secrets, who has time to save the world?

About Lola StVil

Lola was seven when she first came to this country from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She attended Columbia College in Chicago, where her main focus was creative writing. In addition to plays, she also writes screenplays and short stories.

She has been commissioned to write for ABC, CBS and Princeton University. She won the NAACP award for her play “The Bones of Lesser Men”. In addition to being nominated for LA Weekly awards. Her work has also received positive reviews from The LA Times, Variety and LA Weekly.

Book 4: The TriplexThe team finds the locaton of the Triplex, but in order to destroy it and save the world, a horrific decision must be made. Can Marcus do what he needs to do in order to complete the mission? Or will his heart get in the way…Add to Your Goodreads Shelf | Purchase on Amazon

Book 5, Part 1: The Quo

WARNING: This book contains a scene in chapter 20 that is for mature audiences only. Readers can skip this chapter without missing any info vital to the plot.
A team divided.
A leader in turmoil.
A love tested.

(THIS BOOK HAS SPOILERS, SO IT IS BEST READ AFTER BOOK 1 (The Girl))
Please note this is a book of short stories about the Guardians and their lives before the mission. This book is 20k words long and has nine short stories including
*Julian's Core
*Rio's secret crush
*Julian & Femi's first meeting

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Vampires for Charity!

My guest today is Jodie Pierce, the Vampire Queen, and she's heading a very special cause. I'll let her tell us about it. But first…

Giveaway!

Jodie is giving away one set of e-bookmarks and I'm throwing in a $5 Amazon gift card. Be sure to use the Rafflecopter Entry below to participate and please spread the word for this great cause! Comments are encouraged!!

Here's Jodie!

With over 18 Authors, you’re bound to find a few vampire stories you’ll love. From devious vampires, to vampire moms, a child vampire, teenage vampires, King and Queen vampires, a vampires’ slave girl, a vampire mob, a Red-necked vampire, driving vampires, an Eastern European angel of pain, a vampire poem, a dug up coffin, a Dental Hygienist, a sad vampire tale and a vampire that helps a young cancer boy. Like I said, something for everyone! Did I mention it’s all for charity? The kids, people…the kids!

And there you have it! Thank you, Jodie, for coming here today! The drawing ends October 31st and winners for this blog will be announced by e-mail within 48-hours after the closing. Be sure to leave your e-mail address in the Rafflecopter (for privacy) and there are a few other options to increase your chances of winning, so I encourage you to take advantage of those. Don't forget to comment below to answer this question:

What are you doing for Halloween this year?

Expound, explore and explain! We'd love to hear if you and/or your kids are dressing up? Are you going to a party? What costume will you be wearing? How do you feel about Halloween as a holiday?

Thanks for supporting this wonderful cause! Be sure to share and spread the news!

Welcome Lisa Kessler!

Author – Lisa Kessler

I'm so very proud to have Lisa Kessler as a guest today, featuring her new release Moonlight. Who can resist shapeshifters? I know I can't! And this one features not only wolves, but jaguars! RAWR! Be sure to scroll down and view her awesome cover, blurb and buy link information. AND enter the Rafflecopter drawing for a $25 Amazon Gift Card! So, Lisa…

Lisa Kessler: The first chapter of Moonlightwas actually a short story I wrote while I was taking up Ray Bradbury’s challenge to write a new short story each week for a year. That particular week was a full moon and I thought it would be too easy to write about a werewolf. From there my little writer brain kicked in and Lana came into my head—a woman with no clue that every time the moon vanishes from the sky during the New Moon, she shifts into a huge black jaguar. There’s much more to the book, but that was the beginning! LOL After I posted the short story, I couldn't stop wondering what would happen next, so six months later, the first draft of the novel was finished… 🙂

AB: I love the way that works and I can already see some of that happening with my own short stories. I can’t thank you enough for introducing me to the Ray Bradbury Challenge. So exciting! Incidentally, folks, Lisa compiled a bunch of her short stories from that challenge and it’s available on Amazon—Forgotten Treasures: 25 Short Fiction Tales.

So, what prompted you to write the novel in first-person alternating point of view? (For those not familiar with this POV, the story is told in first person, as if the characters are talking to the reader – “I looked up and saw him enter the room.” However, the POV changes each chapter. In Moonlight, it's Lana one chapter and then Adam the next.) LK: This book is very action-packed and gritty like urban fantasy, so the first person POV really enhanced the story telling. At one point, I did rewrite the first 4 chapters into third person and it really sucked the life out of the book, so even though it made it a little more out-of-the-box for paranormal romance, I ended up keeping it in alternating first person. I’m so glad I did. Readers have really connected with the Pack so far!

AB: I so glad to hear that! And I love it that you’re so in touch with your readers. As I understand it, this novel was an RT Book Reviews Magazine Writing with the Stars Finalist. First off, congratulations!! Second, would you mind sharing a little of that experience and how you think it affected the current success of your book?

LK: It was nerve-wracking and very exciting! It was also a super opportunity to get my name and my work in front of a large audience of readers. Also, by having readers vote, they were buy nolvadex 20mg invested in the book, so I think it has helped sales now that it’s out.

AB: Between Adam and Lana, who would you say was the most difficult character to write and why?

LK: Hmmm… This book was a blast to write, so neither character was really “difficult”. I guess since Lana came to me first, maybe that made Adam a little tougher?

AB: Understood! And no worries. So, your heroine and hero are both shapeshifters, but Lana is a jaguar and Adam is a wolf. PLEASE forgive me, but I can't help thinking of that line from Ghostbusters: “Dogs and cats, living together! Mass hysteria!!” LOL! What was your motivation for choosing such different animal forms for your main characters?

LK: Ha! Yeah, the thought crossed my mind… 🙂 I also have them shift on opposite schedules, so the jaguars shift with no moon, and it made sense to me because cats can see well in darkness. It also worked to my favor with the cats being independent and better suited to be lone assassins, whereas the wolves work together as a Pack. I did play a little bit with the concept of dogs and cats not getting along, too.

AB: Thanks for being a good sport about that. I love the way you played with the moon cycle and the strengths of the species!! Well done! Lisa, thank you soooo much for taking the time to come by and visit my website today.

LK: Thanks for having me on your blog Arial!!!

AB: Do you have any parting comments for our visitors?

LK: I’d like to thank everyone who entered the blog tour contest and helped to spread the word on Twitter and Facebook about Moonlight! Also, Hunter’s Moon (Book 2) will be out October 21st, so it’s not long to wait to find out what happens next… Woot! Be sure to pick up a copy of Moonlight(see other links below).

Moonlight Blurb:

Rancher Adam Sloan is more than meets the eye. As the heir to his Pack, the sexy werewolf's biggest challenge is keeping his kin's true nature under wraps. But a group of jaguar shifters threatens to reveal the pack, blasting into town killing humans in plain sight. And when he smells one at the local diner, his standing orders are to take her out. Lana Turpin doesn't realize she's a moving target. Raised in the foster system, she only knows that she blacks out during the new moon and wakes up without remembering a thing. But now she's being tracked by some strange organization that wants her back–even though she's never stepped foot inside their compound. And the stranger across the diner is watching her like an enemy. It should be a simple mission for Adam, but when he touches the frustratingly beautiful Lana, his inner wolf howls…mate. Now, the two must find and stop the people who hunt her…and Adam must keep his own family from killing the only woman he will ever love. Website: http://www.authorlisakessler.com/ Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | ARe | iTunes

We're goin' on a scavenger hunt…

For the pieces to the puzzle that will complete the cover of my next novel MIDNIGHT HUNT!

Join me and a number of wonderful authors and reader bloggers on a cover reveal tour like you’ve never seen! Each piece of the cover will be revealed and the entire cover assembled at the end of the tour on July 1st.

Tour Dates: June 17th – July 1st

Cover Reveal: July 1st

Tour Locations: author blogs, reader blogs and various stops around the World Wide Web, such as my Facebook author page, my Google+ page and other related sites

Once the tour begins, I'll post a white cover space with the first piece and a link to where you can find it. As the tour progresses, I'll be updating the graphic and the link to location of the next piece. Each piece will have a number/code. At the end of the tour, participants will send me an e-mail with all the puzzle codes to be entered into the final drawing. Contest rules will be posted closer to the date. Click here to see a calendar of this and other upcoming events.

Wanna Host a Piece of the Puzzle??

I still have some dates open for the blog tour, so if you're an author or a book blogger and want to host one of the pieces, please contact me ASAP to get booked: arial (at) arialburnz (dot) com. Slots are filling up fast! I have 15 pieces to reveal and many are already spoken for!

I am very honored to be featured on Bathsheba Dailey's Blog! And she's as cute as a button, too! Please be sure to stop by and leave a comment or say hello. We did a fun, short little interview. She's been very helpful in spreading the word about my Mother's Day book promotion and chatting with people about my books.

A little about Bathsheba:

I've just met Bathsheba, and in the short amount of time I've come to know her, she's shown herself to be a courageous woman, being a single mom and raising three girls, and gifted with a loving heart. She's a talented writer, too. She has a new book coming out soon, which I cannot wait to get my hands on, titled Five Year Old Death. Please click on the link or the cover to read the description and learn more about her story.
As always, please show your support of indie authors by LIKING and SHARING where you can and as much as you can. Readers will only know about us if we help each other spread the word.

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